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For children
Under the Age of 5
For children
Over the Age of 5
The real gems of our Christian Education programs are our teachers and advisors. They commit themselves to providing a safe, loving and nurturing environment for your child’s journey of faith. The relationships developed between the teachers, advisors and youth of our church often last a life time.
The wondrous thing about Sunday School and Youth programs is that they create opportunities for discussion between you and your children. “What did you talk about today in Sunday School (or at youth group)?” is the perfect jumping board question to explore both your child’s and your feelings about God, the world around us and how we can live our lives as children of God.
You do not need to be a member for your children to join our Sunday School and Youth Programs which generally run from September to May. However, you will need to register your children in the programs. For more information about these programs, please contact our Associate Minister for Youth, Rev. Josh Sander.
For children under the Age of 5
Crib and Toddler Room: The room is set up for the safety and play of those under the age of two and is staffed by the same group of adults throughout the year. We feel this consistency of caregivers increases your child’s comfort level. Our caregivers will work with you to meet the particular needs of your child. And should your child become very unhappy, we will send an aide to you during the service.
Nursery (ages 2 & 3), and Nursery (age 4): These rooms are set up for age appropriate play and safety. Our teachers will spend most of the time in creative play with your children and provide a very basic Sunday School lesson.
For children over the age of 5
Our Sunday School classes are divided by age: Kindergarten, First and Second Grade, Third and Fourth Grade, Fifth and Sixth Grade, Seventh and Eighth grade.
Our Curriculum for school age children through sixth grade is Bible Quest. This program was chosen for the way it helps learners to understand the Bible as a story – reading, interpreting and living the story in the world as disciples. 7th and 8th graders use the Witness curriculum which helps our children grow in their discipleship and share their faith with the world. The programs goals are to know, grow and show: know the Word, grow in the faith and show the service.
High school age children attend church with their parents and may participate in youth group activities.
Family Sundays
Throughout the year, there are several Family Sundays when there is no Sunday School scheduled. Child care for children under the age of three is provided in the Crib and Toddler Room on Family Sundays. We encourage families with children over the age of three to experience church together in the sanctuary. Family Sundays generally take place around the school vacation calendar (Sunday after Thanksgiving, the Sundays around Christmas and New Years, Sunday of winter and spring school vacations).
Confirmation Classes
An infant or young child is baptized into our faith with words spoken on his or her behalf by parents and members of our church. But as your children reach an age of greater understanding, they may want to confirm those words of baptism themselves.
Our pastors will lead your child through a year of study, prayer and reflection in preparation of this confirmation of their faith. Using the “Making Disciples” program, confirmands are paired with an adult mentor who will help them explore the basics of Christian faith: God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, worship, the Bible, gifts, ministry, baptism, spiritual life, death and resurrection and the church. Most confirmands begin the process in 9th grade – but confirmation is open to any high school aged child.
Pilgrim Fellowship (for Teenagers)
Your child may want to join one of our adult-advised youth groups for social and volunteer activities …
- Junior Pilgrim Fellowship (JPF) welcomes your 6th, 7th or 8th grader. They meet every other Sunday night from 6-8 p.m. JPF activities include games, spiritual and social issue discussions, fund raisers, sleepovers, service projects, day trips (such as indoor rock climbing and bowling) and a year end retreat. Again, JPF is not limited to church members. We enjoy meeting new people – so if your children want to – they can bring a friend!
- Senior Pilgrim Fellowship (SPF) welcomes your high school student. SPF meets (nearly) every Sunday night from 7-9 p.m. The high schoolers gather for fun and fellowship, study and devotion. After all, “where ever two or three gather in his name, here I am”. And we’re lucky, our Senior PF program is well known throughout the community. Our Senior PF attracts high schoolers from different towns, religions and schools!
A number of special trips and service projects are planned each year. The 2006/2007 events to date include an annual hayride with the Junior PF, a Halloween trip to Six Flags New England, a fall retreat weekend at Silver Lake, and participation in the church’s “Journey of Homage” – taking Christmas gift bags of warmth and sustenance to the homeless of Bridgeport.
Our Senior PFer’s take the word “pilgrim” seriously – gathering together to continue their faith journey – learning and laughing along the way. All high school aged students are invited to join the journey.
Special Childrens Events
Advent Workshop: Each year, on the first Sunday in December, we offer a craft workshop during regular Sunday School hours. Your children get in the holiday spirit by creating Christmas decorations for your home. This Sunday is also ‘white gift Sunday” when the children can bring in a new, unwrapped toy which will be given to a child who may not receive any toy for Christmas.
Christmas Pageant: Over 25 children participate in our annual Christmas pageant the Sunday before Christmas. As part of our Sunday School program, your child can become part of our pageant – a reenactment of the Bible Story of Christ’s birth through scripture and song. Even if your child is not part of the program, we hope you’ll join us for this touching service.
Children’s Sunday: Children’s Sunday is perhaps one of the most interesting Sunday mornings you’ll spend with your child. Our Sunday School classes organize and lead the entire service, from opening prayer through sermon. Each Sunday School class is responsible for one part of the service with our 7th and 8th grade class presenting a sermon through small, personally written essays on the topic of the day.